July / August 2025 | News to help you engage, connect & accelerate your impact

When devastating floods struck Central Texas this month, claiming more than 135 lives and wreaking havoc across 21 counties, communities faced an unprecedented challenge in rebuilding their lives and infrastructure. In response, OneStar launched the Central Texas Flood Recovery Fund—which, thanks to generous support from Texas Mutual, ensures 100% of donations reach local organizations providing essential recovery services, long-term rebuilding operations, and infrastructure repair. Working through partnerships with community foundations, recovery groups, and nonprofits across the affected region, the fund will direct critical resources to where they're needed most.

We also celebrate the incredible outpouring of support from communities across Central Texas that have established their own local recovery funds—if you feel a special connection to a particular community, we encourage you to contribute directly to their local efforts for targeted impact where it matters most to you.

While the road to recovery is long, the resilience and determination of these communities, combined with generous support from donors, is creating a foundation for rebuilding stronger than before. Every contribution helps these communities heal and move forward with hope, and continued support remains vital as recovery efforts extend into the months ahead.

Every day across Texas, AmeriCorps members create ripple effects of transformation—building nonprofit capacity, developing leadership skills, and delivering vital community services. Our newly launched AmeriCorps Texas Storytelling Project captures these powerful stories through compelling, human-centered narratives that amplify the voices and impact of national service.

This initiative showcases AmeriCorps impact through three perspectives: the growth of AmeriCorps members, increased capacity at nonprofit service sites, and enhanced services reaching community beneficiaries. By collecting diverse stories using proven narrative structures, we're building content that supports long-term advocacy and helps Texans understand the transformative power of service.

Read our first two stories on our blog and follow our social media channels as we continue sharing how AmeriCorps members strengthen Texas communities through service!

Killeen Creators: Where Hope Takes Root
AmeriCorps members tend community gardens that cultivate hope, healing, and connection in a region with few nonprofits, bringing lived experience and presence to those who need it most. 

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Imagine Art: Where Everyday Magic Happens
In East Austin, AmeriCorps members work alongside artists with disabilities finding voice, purpose, and community through creativity's shared rhythm of trust, care, and transformation. 

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AmeriCorps faces significant challenges that affect the thousands of Texas nonprofits and communities it serves. Despite being an efficient program that delivers vital local services, AmeriCorps is navigating proposed elimination in the FY26 budget and the Office of Management and Budget's withholding of $200 million in already-appropriated FY25 funds.

Since April 2025, AmeriCorps has experienced significant disruption through grant terminations, member demobilizations, and the dismissal of agency staff. This impacts the "people power" that Texas nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community groups rely on to deliver essential services while developing the next generation of skilled workers.

The "AmeriCorps Is America" campaign provides a comprehensive social media toolkit to help you share your AmeriCorps story and demonstrate the program's vital role in communities across Texas. Whether you're a current or former AmeriCorps member, a nonprofit partner, or a community beneficiary, your voice matters in showcasing how AmeriCorps strengthens local organizations and transforms lives. Visit the campaign resources and share your AmeriCorps story on social media to highlight the continued importance of national service.

Texas Nonprofit Strong is evolving with exciting changes ahead that will strengthen advocacy efforts and expand impact across the state's nonprofit sector. Since February, a dedicated Working Group has collaborated with OneStar and United Ways of Texas staff to envision Texas Nonprofit Strong's future. Through this consultative process, the group provided invaluable insights about engaging broader stakeholders, creating sustainable operations, and amplifying advocacy efforts that elevate Texas nonprofits. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the Texas Nonprofit Strong Working Group members for their expertise and commitment:

Special thanks to Natalie Gray of South Rim Partners for her thoughtful and thorough facilitation throughout this process. Her guidance has been instrumental in charting a course that positions Texas Nonprofit Strong for greater advocacy impact.

Sign up for the Texas Nonprofit Strong e-newsletter to be updated and learn more about how these changes will enhance our collective voice as the unifying advocate for Texas nonprofits.

TDEM Conference
May 26-30, Fort Worth

Points of Light Conference
Jun 3-6, New Orleans, LA

Texas Rural Funders Webinar
Jun 24, Virtual

NACC 2025 Conference
Jul 9-11, College Park, MD

In Case You Missed It: Events & Opportunities from the Sector

Strong state policy is essential to strong communities, and advocacy is one of our greatest tools to create real, lasting change. This report provides highlights of the United Ways of Texas’ advocacy efforts, including the engagement of local United Ways, legislation introduced during the 2025 legislative session that was tracked by United Ways of Texas, and information on where the network’s priorities landed this session. 

Presented by United Ways of Texas

Ready to inspire action for 9/11 Day of Service? Access comprehensive online toolkits designed to get your community involved! This essential resource is packed with everything you need to engage your community, including powerful messaging, practical tools, customizable templates, compelling photos, and impactful videos. Make this 9/11 Day a powerful testament to service and remembrance.

Presented by 9/11 Day

Thu, Jul 24
Virtual
As legal scrutiny of workplace DEI programs intensifies, nonprofit leaders are asking: Can we still prioritize inclusive hiring? Are affinity groups a risk? What language puts us at risk of being flagged? This free, one-hour webinar will break down recent EEOC changes, DOJ enforcement trends, and the legal implications of common DEI practices. You’ll learn how to revise internal policies and communications to stay mission-aligned while reducing legal exposure – before issues arise.

Presented by Ascend People

Thu, Jul 31
Arlington
Are you ready to unlock the power of AI for your fundraising success? This workshop and discover how AI can revolutionize your work. We'll explore the foundations of AI, ethical considerations, and practical tools you can use immediately. Learn how to prompt AI effectively and develop a problem-solving mindset. Get ready to supercharge your fundraising efforts with cutting-edge AI strategies.

Presented by North Texas Nonprofit Institute

Wed, Aug 6 – Fri, Aug 8
Sweetwater
This inaugural rural nonprofit conference will offer education led by experienced presenters, connections with peers and community leaders, and engagement with potential funders interested in rural causes across West-Central Texas. The two-day conference features sessions on capacity building, strategic planning, nonprofit finance, marketing, and more.

Presented by Community Foundation of Abilene

Thu, Aug 14, Sept 18 & Oct 23
San Antonio

In this highly interactive workshop series led by Guy Clumpner, President of HOLT Development Services, participants explore core leadership principles, such as values-based leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability to feedback, and resiliency, through facilitated discussions and self-reflection. Each workshop is a 3.5-hour stand-alone session, although registrants are encouraged to attend all sessions. Three of four workshops in the series remaining:

Presented by San Antonio Area Foundation

Fri, Aug 15
Tyler
Elevate your organization’s mission with a full day of expert led sessions and interactive discussions. You’ll gain valuable knowledge on a variety of topics, connect with fellow nonprofit professionals and board members, and explore fresh strategies to tackle real world challenges.

Presented by UT Tyler

Mon, Sep 8-Tue, Sep 9
San Antonio
This event offers a chance for Texans to reflect on critical issues in mental health and promote innovation and collaboration among providers, advocates, consumers, and their families. Since 1978, the foundation has convened this seminar to increase awareness about mental health concepts, such as recovery, integrated health, and barriers to well-being.

Presented by Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

Thu, Sep 18-Fri, Sep 19
Hurst
The North Texas Nonprofit Summit presents the annual North Texas State of Nonprofits and Philanthropy Report, providing deep insights into the economic influence and trends shaping the nonprofit landscape. Offering a platform for networking and knowledge exchange, the Summit attracts industry leaders, philanthropists, and nonprofit professionals, fostering dialogue and collaboration to drive positive impact and sustainable growth within the vibrant North Texas nonprofit community. The report is distributed widely to over 1,000 nonprofit professionals.

Presented by North Texas Nonprofit Institute

Thu, Oct 9-Fri, Oct 10
Richardson OR Virtual
This year’s conference focuses on harnessing innovation to inspire volunteerism that creates lasting community impacts. Attendees will explore ingenious strategies and tools to effectively recruit, engage, and retain volunteers, ensuring their programs thrive in a rapidly evolving volunteer landscape. The TVMC will be a hybrid conference offering both virtual and in-person sessions to reach as many leaders of volunteers as possible who work for nonprofit organizations or publicly funded agencies across Texas and beyond. Early bird rates are available through Sun, Aug 10.

Presented by VolunteerNow

Mon, Oct 27-Wed, Oct 29
Atlanta, GA
Independent Sector’s National Summit 2025 will bring together professionals from across the charitable sector — nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs — to build capacity, enhance knowledge sharing, foster collaboration, expand networking, and support advocacy. The charitable sector stands at a critical inflection point, facing unprecedented challenges while holding tremendous ability to champion change. By uniting the sector’s voices and vision, we will unlock our full potential to meet this moment and drive real progress.

Presented by Independent Sector